(B.) AQUATIC BIRDS

IX. WADERS.*

THE legs of these birds are more or less bare of feathers above the knee; and are so long as to procure for them, from the common people of Germany, the name of Stilt-walkers. I shall enumerate in this place only ten species, which with care and attention may be tamed at any age.

188. THE WHITE STORK.

Ciconia alba, Ardea Ciconia, LIN. Cicogne Blanche, BUF. Der Weisse Storch, BECH.

Description.-This well-known bird, which, from the fact, that it builds on roofs of houses, and other buildings, is in Germany considered as half domesticated, is three feet and a half in length. Its feet and its large strong beak are similar; the naked circle of the eyes and the pen feathers are black; and the rest of the plumage a beautiful white.

Observations.-The Stork is a bird of passage, which leaves us at the end of September, and returns at the beginning of April. Its food consists of small fishes, frogs, and other amphibious animals, mice, weasels, and, among other insects, bees, of which it collects great numbers from the flowers. Its nest consists of a great number of dry twigs, roughly interwoven. It is repaired and occupied by the same couple year after year; and I have been informed that some nests have been known to remain in the same spots for above a century, in which time many hundred Swallows and Sparrows' nests have collected round them. The connection between male and female lasts during life, and they are models of conjugal fidelity. If the young birds be taken from the nest when half-fledged, and fed with frogs and meat, they will become quite tame, will catch mice and moles in the garden, and may be allowed to fly away, without any fear of their not returning.

At the period of migration it is advisable to clip their wings, and in winter they should be kept in a warm place, as their feet are very apt to suffer from cold. They will eat anything that comes to table, and express their various emotions and desires by a loud clapping with the bill. It is pleasant to watch a tame Stork returning from its wanderings, circling round and round the house, and at last descending upon it in a long spiral line.

* Gralla Sumpfvoegel, BECH.

189. THE BLACK STORK.

Ciconia Nigra, LIN. Cicogne Noire, BUF. Der Schwarze Storch, BECH. Description. This is almost as large as the preceding species, and resembles it in form, except that the limbs are more delicate and slender. The general colour of its plumage is a glossy black, but the breast and belly are white. It inhabits woods which are at no great distance from lakes and marshes, and builds its nest in trees. Its habit of life is very similar to that of the White Stork; and the young birds, of which there are often five in a brood, may be reared in the same manner.

190. THE WOODCOCK.

Scolopax Rusticola, LIN. La Bécasse, Bur. Die Waldschnepfe, BECH. Description.-The Woodcock, which is a bird well known throughout Europe, is about the size of a Partridge. The beak is straight, and reddish at the root; the forehead is reddish grey; and some blackish brown stripes pass across the back of the head. The upper part of the body and the wings are rust-coloured, striped with black and grey; the breast and belly are dingy white, covered with dark brown lines.

Observations.-The Woodcock builds its nest in the woods on the ground: and the eggs, which are three or four in number, are a dingy pale yellow. As soon as evening approaches it leaves the underwood, to look for its food, which consists of earth worms, snails, and grubs, in the meadows, marshes, and ploughed fields. In October it migrates into warmer countries; and, as it always pursues the same route, the fowler prepares to receive it, as it leaves the woods for the open country, with guns and large nets, in which great numbers are taken. It is an awkward bird, and often overbalances itself in its flight. It is scarcely necessary to add, that the flesh of the Woodcock is highly esteemed by epicures.

This bird soon becomes accustomed to the food of the aviary, if fed, when first caught, with insects and ants' eggs.

191. THE SNIPE.

Scolopax Gallinago, LIN. La Bécassine, Bur. Die Heerschnepfe, BECH

Description.-This bird is about the size of a Quail. The beak is long, black at the point, and covered with small lumps; the feet are brown. The head is divided by two reddish brown lines, which pass down the forehead; and the beak is covered with dark brown transverse stripes. The throat is white; the

neck spotted with dark vermilion and brown; the belly white. the vent striped with black. The pen feathers are dark brown, tipped with white; the tail is black at the root, and at the point orange, with a double stripe of dark brown.

Observations.-The Snipe is a native of the northern regions of Europe, Asia, and America, migrating to warmer climates at the approach of winter. Its flight is peculiar; as it suddenly swings itself to a considerable height, and then descends to the ground like an arrow, uttering meanwhile its cry, Maykeray. It frequents marshy places, especially if overgrown with bushes; and builds its nest in a hole in the ground close to the water's edge. The eggs, which are four or five in number, are dingy olive green, spotted with brown. Its food consists of worms and grubs, though it sometimes eats grain and the tender roots of marsh plants. When tamed, its habits are very engaging.

192. THE LAPWING.

Tringa Vanellus, LIN. Le Vanneu, Bur. Der gemeine Kiebetz, BECH. Description.-This familiar bird, which is about the size of a Pigeon, frequents marshy meadows and morasses, and is found in all parts of Europe. The back and wings are red.

Observations.-The food of the Lapwing consists of water beetles and other aquatic insects, snails, earth worms, and the leaves of various plants. The eggs may be placed under a Pigeon; or, if young birds be caught, they may be fed with ants' eggs, and will soon be content with bran and milk. If the wings of old birds are cut, they may be safely turned into the garden, where they are very useful in destroying noxious insects and worms. In winter, however, they must be brought into the aviary, and fed on bullock's heart cut into long strips, from which they will soon become accustomed to eat other meat, and will at last be content with bread. Where flocks of them have been observed, they are often caught for the table in barn-floor traps, baited with earth worms. They may also be taken in horse-hair nooses, set near their nests.

193. THE RUFF.

Tringa Pugnax, LIN. Le Combattant, ou Paon de Mer, Bur. Der Kampfhahn, BECH.

Description.-The Ruff, which is found among the lakes and wide morasses of Northern Europe, is nearly as large as the Lapwing. It is remarkable as being almost the only wild bird whose plumage varies like that of our domesticated Poultry; grey, rust colour, black, and white being so variously mingled one with

the other, that no two birds of this species are exactly alike. The feet and beak are, however, always red; the face is red and covered with warts; and there is a collar, composed of long feathers, round the neck, which the bird erects when angry.

The colours in the plumage of the female are less variable. She is pale brown; the back being spotted with black; and the breast and belly white. She has no collar.

Observations.-The Ruff feeds upon worms, insects, and marsh grasses, and generally builds its nest in some wet meadow, upon a dry turf, or among rushes. The flesh of the female is palatable, but the males must be fattened before they are fit for the table. The latter are particularly noticeable for their quarrelsome disposition. If several are confined in a cage, the strongest kills the rest; and they are so engaged during the combat, that a net may be thrown over them without their perceiving it. They are easily tamed, especially when young; and it is worthy of notice, that those reared from the nest in the aviary, never manifest this disposition to quarrel; although in the case of most birds the contrary effect is observed to be produced. They may be fed on meat, or bread and milk.

194. THE PURR.

Tringa Cinclus, LIN. L'Alouette de Mer, Bur. Die Meerlerche, BECH. Description. This marsh bird, which is about the size of a Redwing Thrush, is common on the banks of all large rivers and lakes, and may be recognised by its loud clear cry of Tzi, tzi, tzi, tzi! uttered as it rises in the air. The beak is black; the feet dark brownish green. The feathers of all the upper part of the body are bright and silky in texture, and in colour dark grey, composed of fine black lines, and edged with rust colour. A white stripe passes over, and a narrow dark brown line between the eyes. The under part of the body is a beautiful white; the breast being striped with dark brown. The pen feathers are blackish brown; the foremost having large white spots on the inner, the rest on both plumes. The large coverts are tipped with white, which produces two white spots on the wings; the three centre feathers of the tail are greyish brown, with transverse stripes of black; the rest white, edged with dark brown.

The female is a little larger, and somewhat lighter in colour. Observations.-The Purr is easily tamed, and, on account of its beauty and interesting habits, is quite worthy of a place in the aviary. It is particularly rapid in its gait, keeps the hinder

part of its body in continual motion, and utters its call, Hidutzi' incessantly, especially in the evening twilight. In a wild state it eats aquatic insects and worms; and in the aviary is soon content with the universal paste, if fed when first caught with a few meal worms, or ants' eggs. It will also eat poppy and rape seed, and is a greedy bird, carrying all its food to the water vessel, in order to make it as moist as possible, and thus incommoding the other birds kept with it. Its mode of catching flies is very curious. It creeps slowly up to them, with its head down, and, when fairly within reach, darts on them with the rapidity of lightning. Like all birds of its species, it is also in the habit of turning over all the stones in its way, in order to see if there be any insects beneath.

The Purr may easily be caught, by setting limed twigs near the places on the sea side where it is observed habitually to perch. To these it may then be gently and cautiously driven.

Fulica Chloropus. LIN. La Ponle d'Eau, Bur. Das Grünfüssige Meehuhn, BECH.

Description.-This bird, which is found on almost every pool in Germany, is one foot in length; the beak is orange with a greenish tip; the bare forehead, and the naked spaces above the knees are also orange. The feet and claws, which are disproportionally long, are olive green; the head, the upper part of the neck, body, and wing coverts are dark olive green; the foremost pen feathers and the tail dark brown; the breast and belly ashen grey; the vent and the edges of the wings white. the female also, the forehead is bare, but olive brown.

In

Observations. Although the Moor Hen is not web-footed, it is an excellent swimmer; and possesses the additional advantage of being able to perch and roost upon the bushes at the water side, and to run upon the ground. Its nest, which is composed of water plants finely interwoven, is so strongly attached to the bushes or reeds by the water side, as to float in case of an inundation, without being carried away, and so preserve its contents from harm. Its food consists of aquatic insects, and the leaves and seeds of aquatic plants. It is easily tamed, especially when young, and will eat bread and milk. I have myself kept several of these birds in the farm-yard with the poultry, which were tamed with very little trouble, and though in the habit of paying a daily visit to the nearest pool, they never failed to return. Their usual station throughout the day was the dunghill, where they were always occupied in picking up insects or grubs.